One hundred years ago
Mr Arthur Charles, QC, has been asked for his opinion on the point whether a layman of the Church of England may, at the request of the officiating minister, and with the consent of the Bishop, read the Church Service, including the Litany, but not including the Absolution or any part of the Communion Office, and not including the sermon, in a con- secrated building; and he has given his opinion in the affirmative — that a layman may read any part of the morn- ing and evening service which is not directly ordered to be read by a priest, at the request of the incumbent and with the consent of the Bishop. It is curious that the sermon should be excepted ... The conventionality of the ordinary clerical sermon is notorious, and clergymen would preach all the better if they were forced to compare themselves oftener with duly qualified laymen.
Spectator, 8 March 1884
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